Notes from a Phantom Negro: "Skip Gates:Please Sit Down"
Here at “This Week in Blackness” we get a lot of submissions which we should do way more with. This particular one we thought had such an interesting concept that we felt we’d like to share it with our readers. My (Elon’s) own take on this subject has been covered ad nauseum via Twitter & will be featured on the next TWiB! but Blackness has multiple lines of thought. Read & please let us know what YOU think. - ejw
Note to the reader: Dr. Henry Louis Gates has reach and influence in the academy, and that reach can–and has–severely damage careers. A pseudonym, in this case, is essential.
Notes from a Phantom Negro.
The Ivy League is not real life. College in general is not real life, and the Ivy League is a more fantastic version of college. The amenities are better, the rules are flexible and everyone, student and faculty alike, is well aware that the realities of life as most people know it are merely a peculiar footnote to the day to day of campus life. I do not speak out of turn when I say this. I know because I am in and of that world.
As a Black Ivy Leaguer, something funny happens as you become ensconced in ivy. You’re smart enough to understand that race and racism is a reality, you deal with on a daily basis, but you also know that your university ID sets you apart. Does this mean you are kept from hurtful incidents? No, but it is to say that much of the outrage felt at a racial slight is replaced by outrage at a class slight. Sure; we get pissed, knowing we’re getting hassled because we’re Black, but the real indignation comes from being hassled as members of an elite group. How dare you hassle me? I go to school here. I got to work here. That second part of the thought is always present. I go to school here. I go to work here. When the Ivy League Effect is going full tilt, our Black compass gets confused;the realities we know to exist become other peoples’ problems.
True story: One night, years ago, many of the Black students at school were throwing a party in a dormitory common area when three police officers arrived, flashlights searching the crowd. Nobody moved, nobody left, nobody did anything but keep dancing as three police officers walked through the crowd, flashlights in faces. I didn’t run either. In fact, I wondered if they were chasing someone on foot and wondered if they’d run into the party.
That could only happen in the Ivy League. Three cops come into a party and nobody, surreptitiously or otherwise, made for an exit? It seems like the beginning of a joke. On one hand, you could argue that this is a sign of progress; a sign that we’ve moved past the days of fearing police presence. I say that quasi-luxury is brought on by the muscle backing these students (and, by extension, the faculty)–the school. All the lessons about dealing with police as a Black person seem to have no place in the Ivory Tower. We can forget those lessons because, more than we’re Black in America, we’re Ivy Leaguers.
Which brings me to Skip Gates. He isn’t outraged because he feels he was the victim of racial profiling by the police (that dubious honor goes to his foolish neighbor). He’s outraged because he was the victim of class profiling. He didn’t resent being identitified as Black; he resented being identified as that kind of Black, the kind of Black that can be hassled and pushed around by simpleton cops. How dare you hassle me? I’m Skip Gates: Harvard professor!
Skip has fallen victim to the Ivy League Effect. Check out his articles–you can definitely go to The Root–the website he is Editor-in-Chief of–if you want to see a repository for the whole masturbatory display. He all but says, “Do I look like that type of (Black) person? I was wearing a blazer and a polo shirt!” Gates is Ivy League pissed with a dash of Black anger. Not the other way around. Is this to say the police weren’t in the wrong? Hardly. As a person is familiar with the Cambridge/Boston PD, the prospect of some procedural malfeasance on their part is entirely believable if not an abject certainty.
But I’m also sure, the good doctor was talking some shit. The Ivy League Effect, when it’s potent, wouldn’t allow otherwise. It made Gates forget that, no matter what, even when you’re right, you don’t talk shit to the police. And that’s not a matter of manhood or pride; it’s a question of survival. Why? Because you’re Black before you’re a Harvard professor. Because, in an extreme case, you can’t tell your side of the story if you get shot reaching for your ID. As a Black man and a Harvard professor, Gates’ thought process should have been: “Wow. I am so thoroughly pissed right now. When this current situation is resolved and am out of harm’s way, I’m going down to the station and I’m going to use my considerable influence to make heads roll. But right now, I need to be the smart one, remember all the details and not give him any reason to escalate this situation.” That’s what any of my fellow colleagues have done, guns drawn on them at night in the middle of campus by the police. They didn’t get loud; they got smart. They diffused the situation, then got pissed and did something about it. And I assure you, they did so with much less juice than Dr. Gates.
I remember when I heard about the story, I couldn’t help but think: Wow, that Ivy League Effect has washed out his healthy fear of the police. Yikes.
Can he be outraged? ABSOLUTELY. The circumstance should outrage any person that happened to. But why is he outraged? Because he didn’t think the Black Tax applied to him anymore. In his mind, he was Skip Gates, well-regarded Harvard professor who was being treated poorly in his home by the police. Believe me, if this took place at North Carolina State his sense of indignation would be far different and his ability to garner attention would be much less. And if he was just a working-class stiff? Forget it.
But this didn’t happen anywhere else. It happened in Cambridge on Ivy turf and now, his story has taken on Paul Bunyon-esque qualities. If you didn’t know better, you’d think a lynch mob was waiting outside Gates’ door with the rope and the hitching wagon before Ving Rhames came along and saved the day.
Skip Gates thought that he’d worked hard enough, achieved enough, become Harvard enough that this sort of treatment did not apply to him. And now, rather than channel that outrage in a such a way that is subtle but effective, he’s very publicly suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, having ‘joined the ranks of the million incarcerated Black men in America.’ That’s laughable. He does not see those million men as kin and he doesn’t, by and large, give a damn about those guys. He’s merely annoyed that such an annoyance as police misconduct found its way into his home. If he read about this story happening to a plumber in Roxbury, he’d shake his head in disappointment and then go on with his life.
So before we heed the call of racism, let’s be mindful of the tower from which that call came. This has something to do with race. But it as a lot more to do with messing with Skip Gates.
The Ivy League Effect, people. The Ivy League Effect.
Wow, that was kinda long to not say much, but “Intellectuals” do like to hear themselves speak-I’m not mad @ ya. But bottom line is, Skip Gates was in his home. Had it been a white professor it never would’ve happened, no matter how loud he was w/ the police. Could Gates have handled it better & squashed it – Absolutely. Should he have – Absolutely not. It’s a teaching moment. He has the pulpit. Let him use it. Who knows where we’d be today if Rosa Parks just would’ve gotten her ass up and moved.
Wow, that was kinda long to not say much, but “Intellectuals” do like to hear themselves speak-I’m not mad @ ya. But bottom line is, Skip Gates was in his home. Had it been a white professor it never would’ve happened, no matter how loud he was w/ the police. Could Gates have handled it better & squashed it – Absolutely. Should he have – Absolutely not. It’s a teaching moment. He has the pulpit. Let him use it. Who knows where we’d be today if Rosa Parks just would’ve gotten her ass up and moved.
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the officer’s bad attitude was fueled less by the fact that Gates was black than that he was an “better-than-thou” Ivy League professor trying to make a cop look like a fool?
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the officer’s bad attitude was fueled less by the fact that Gates was black than that he was an “better-than-thou” Ivy League professor trying to make a cop look like a fool?
That said, the officer was way out of line and is solely responsible for the failure to keep the peace. All he had to do was simply apologize for the mistake and it never would have escalated to the point it has. That he still can’t apologize is pure arrogance.
That said, the officer was way out of line and is solely responsible for the failure to keep the peace. All he had to do was simply apologize for the mistake and it never would have escalated to the point it has. That he still can’t apologize is pure arrogance.
I’m glad someone finally brings class into the debate…
I’m glad someone finally brings class into the debate…
Having not attended an Ivy League school, I cannot attest to the supposed “Ivy League affect”. But I don’t think that I would have ever described Dr. Gates as thinking he was “Harvard Enough” not to be treated a certain way.
As a young, college-educated female (weighing in around 125lbs), it is my perception that I pose little to no threat to those around me. As a Harvard Professor who is limited in his physical capacity, it was probably his perception that HE posed little to no threat to those around him, ESPECIALLY in his own home. In this “post-racial society” (as a quell a strong gag at the very moronic thought that we could EVER be a post-racial society), it can be easy for many of us to remember that African Americans have not had the best relationship with the police, historically. I think the sheer ludicrousness of being arrested in your own home for being disorderly is pretty disarming and potentially agitational. Every Black person’s reflex isn’t to automatically jump into the role of the bowing, passive Negro. “Oh no suh, I wasn’t doing nothin’ wrong suh. Yes suh. I’ll do whatever you say, suh”
I think the argument has a few valid points but I feel that the overall assessment is flawed at best.
Having not attended an Ivy League school, I cannot attest to the supposed “Ivy League affect”. But I don’t think that I would have ever described Dr. Gates as thinking he was “Harvard Enough” not to be treated a certain way.
As a young, college-educated female (weighing in around 125lbs), it is my perception that I pose little to no threat to those around me. As a Harvard Professor who is limited in his physical capacity, it was probably his perception that HE posed little to no threat to those around him, ESPECIALLY in his own home. In this “post-racial society” (as a quell a strong gag at the very moronic thought that we could EVER be a post-racial society), it can be easy for many of us to remember that African Americans have not had the best relationship with the police, historically. I think the sheer ludicrousness of being arrested in your own home for being disorderly is pretty disarming and potentially agitational. Every Black person’s reflex isn’t to automatically jump into the role of the bowing, passive Negro. “Oh no suh, I wasn’t doing nothin’ wrong suh. Yes suh. I’ll do whatever you say, suh”
I think the argument has a few valid points but I feel that the overall assessment is flawed at best.
Is it a race issue?
Is it anti-intellectualism?
Is it being snob?
Is it self-hatred because race?
Could be all of the above, but here is the pragmatic view of the story: I would be pissed off if my neighbor called the cops on me when I was trying to get into my house. I would even more irate if I thought my neighbor did it because of my race. Then the cops shows up…it is easy to see how someone would boil over…Ivy League or not…black or not…
Is it a race issue?
Is it anti-intellectualism?
Is it being snob?
Is it self-hatred because race?
Could be all of the above, but here is the pragmatic view of the story: I would be pissed off if my neighbor called the cops on me when I was trying to get into my house. I would even more irate if I thought my neighbor did it because of my race. Then the cops shows up…it is easy to see how someone would boil over…Ivy League or not…black or not…
I understand that classism is certainly an issue in our society, but I believe your take on this matter is flawed. “How dare he” may be the indignation that Dr. Gates felt, but he also realizes that all of the status in the world doesn’t change the fact that racism is alive and well. You must not know Dr. Gates well enough for you to jump to such a conclusion. He has spent a great deal of his life defending Black people and trying to bridge racial divides. Now that he has personally encountered a racial situation that has grabbed national attention, you quickly make him the perp just like the police officer did. He should feel very proud of his accomplishments and he should, just like white people, feel a sense of Ivy -Leagueness too. But that doesn’t negate the fact that he most certainly identifies with his people and that he has been on the firing line for justice for many years. Sounds like you have a more personal grudge with “Skip” than you care to share. Is he a little too “uppity” for your taste? The police officer thought so…and it seems like you do, too!
I understand that classism is certainly an issue in our society, but I believe your take on this matter is flawed. “How dare he” may be the indignation that Dr. Gates felt, but he also realizes that all of the status in the world doesn’t change the fact that racism is alive and well. You must not know Dr. Gates well enough for you to jump to such a conclusion. He has spent a great deal of his life defending Black people and trying to bridge racial divides. Now that he has personally encountered a racial situation that has grabbed national attention, you quickly make him the perp just like the police officer did. He should feel very proud of his accomplishments and he should, just like white people, feel a sense of Ivy -Leagueness too. But that doesn’t negate the fact that he most certainly identifies with his people and that he has been on the firing line for justice for many years. Sounds like you have a more personal grudge with “Skip” than you care to share. Is he a little too “uppity” for your taste? The police officer thought so…and it seems like you do, too!
MissMe–See, that’s the thing about the “Ivy League Effect”, you really can lose your sense of what society actually thinks of you. (What PN refers to as the “Black Tax”.) Life in the Ivory Towers is full of ego-stroking and long-term instructors at these places can *definitely* fall victim to believing their own hype; because in those tiny academic ecosystems, yeah, they are big kahunas. They get used to undergraduate and graduate students fawning over them, they become accustomed to having their advice sought out by junior professors, and in the worst cases, they come to expect the deference shown them by their peers simply because of “who they are”. Unfortunately, the rest of the world–that is, the non-academic world–could give a flying rat’s ass about whether or not you teach/are a student at an Ivy League; and that fact holds doubly/triply true for law enforcement agencies who coexist in towns with Ivy League institutions. (full disclosure: I went to an Ivy League-caliber school in a small town with both local, state, and a military police force.) We can’t ever really know to what extent Gates’ skin color was a factor in his arrest; but PhantomNegro is right in saying that one cannot fully understand the whole situation without at least considering the impact of the Ivy League Effect.
MissMe–See, that’s the thing about the “Ivy League Effect”, you really can lose your sense of what society actually thinks of you. (What PN refers to as the “Black Tax”.) Life in the Ivory Towers is full of ego-stroking and long-term instructors at these places can *definitely* fall victim to believing their own hype; because in those tiny academic ecosystems, yeah, they are big kahunas. They get used to undergraduate and graduate students fawning over them, they become accustomed to having their advice sought out by junior professors, and in the worst cases, they come to expect the deference shown them by their peers simply because of “who they are”. Unfortunately, the rest of the world–that is, the non-academic world–could give a flying rat’s ass about whether or not you teach/are a student at an Ivy League; and that fact holds doubly/triply true for law enforcement agencies who coexist in towns with Ivy League institutions. (full disclosure: I went to an Ivy League-caliber school in a small town with both local, state, and a military police force.) We can’t ever really know to what extent Gates’ skin color was a factor in his arrest; but PhantomNegro is right in saying that one cannot fully understand the whole situation without at least considering the impact of the Ivy League Effect.
Lizzie – You make a very good point. I have to admit that if the point of the whole piece was that we cannot understand the situation without considering the impact of the Ivy League Effect, I missed it. I can sympathize with THAT sentiment and I think that would give me a slightly different way of thinking about the situation.
I’m pretty familiar with ego-stroking and elitism but in a slightly different way. Having attended a very prominent HBCU, I had the distinct pleasure of dealing with ” ‘OUR’ Kind of People.” And I think that’s why this article hit hard with me because far too often do I see the effects of divisiveness that class presents to the race.
Situations such as this tend to find me blurring lines and not really considering the impact class and SES may have on a situation. However, when this case presented itself, I thought of class as a positive in Gates’ favor. “he’s in a decent neighborhood. he’s relatively up there in his years. he walks with a cane – how could he possibly be seen as a threat.”
From my perspective, it would seem that the author feels that his accomplishments and prestige are the Achilles heel of Dr. Gates in that once they were attacked, it triggered his inherent outrage and disdain for those who are presumably below him. I fail to see that as the case.
Lizzie – You make a very good point. I have to admit that if the point of the whole piece was that we cannot understand the situation without considering the impact of the Ivy League Effect, I missed it. I can sympathize with THAT sentiment and I think that would give me a slightly different way of thinking about the situation.
I’m pretty familiar with ego-stroking and elitism but in a slightly different way. Having attended a very prominent HBCU, I had the distinct pleasure of dealing with ” ‘OUR’ Kind of People.” And I think that’s why this article hit hard with me because far too often do I see the effects of divisiveness that class presents to the race.
Situations such as this tend to find me blurring lines and not really considering the impact class and SES may have on a situation. However, when this case presented itself, I thought of class as a positive in Gates’ favor. “he’s in a decent neighborhood. he’s relatively up there in his years. he walks with a cane – how could he possibly be seen as a threat.”
From my perspective, it would seem that the author feels that his accomplishments and prestige are the Achilles heel of Dr. Gates in that once they were attacked, it triggered his inherent outrage and disdain for those who are presumably below him. I fail to see that as the case.
I’m surprised that this is still being discussed so heavily on and offline. I thought it was a rather insignificant event. To hear some call it a wakeup call, or some kind of rallying cry, as I have, is laughable.
What happened to Gates was unfortunate, certainly. His public stature helped make this news. He’s not the first, nor will he be the last black man to be racially profiled. Welcome to the club Skip. Underneath all that distinguished “armor,” you’re just another Negro like the rest of us.
I’m surprised that this is still being discussed so heavily on and offline. I thought it was a rather insignificant event. To hear some call it a wakeup call, or some kind of rallying cry, as I have, is laughable.
What happened to Gates was unfortunate, certainly. His public stature helped make this news. He’s not the first, nor will he be the last black man to be racially profiled. Welcome to the club Skip. Underneath all that distinguished “armor,” you’re just another Negro like the rest of us.
I have to laugh at those who say this wouldn’t happen to a white man. It would. I’m Black, Liberal, but I used to be a cop, so I know what the Sergeant was doing when he got there.
He got a call of a possible Burglary. He doesn’t know who’s house it is or anything. He just gets an address.
When he gets there. He sees a man and asks him to identify himself. Why? CUZ HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO THE GUY IS!
When I used to deal with people and I didn’t know who they were, I would ask him to identify himself.
Now I grant you Gates doesn’t know this. But it is common sense to understand that if a cop is showing up to investigate something and then asks who you are….You tell him!
Once properly identified this story is over. Its Gates who kept it going.
Yes, I know its his own home. BUT THE COP DOESN’T KNOW THAT UNTIL GATES IDENTIFIES HIMSELF!
This sadly, is not Rosa Parks, nor is it a case of racial profiling. Simply put it was a guy being a dick and a famous guy at that. The fact that he was black changes nothing.
Nobody likes being asked questions by a Police Officer, nobody! And I do understand being profiled. It has happened to me. But this has nothing to do with profiling.
There is a picture taken at the incident where you can see Gates in Handcuffs leaving the house and shouting. You can also see Sgt Crowley (the Arresting Officer) making a calming motion with hands.
You can see that Gates just flew off the handle.
As for the victory that some are alleging that Gates won by having the charges dropped. Even if the charge had been valid, the DA likely wouldn’t have prosecuted. Its a waste of time and money.
Sadly, this story doesn’t even deserve the 15 minutes of over heated coverage its getting now.
Did Crowley handle it badly? Sure he did. But so did Gates. This isn’t a story of a shinning moment in the battle for civil rights as much as it a case of egos clashing. And the sad part is.. we all have to put up with it.
Phantom Negro hit exactly on the head…
I have to laugh at those who say this wouldn’t happen to a white man. It would. I’m Black, Liberal, but I used to be a cop, so I know what the Sergeant was doing when he got there.
He got a call of a possible Burglary. He doesn’t know who’s house it is or anything. He just gets an address.
When he gets there. He sees a man and asks him to identify himself. Why? CUZ HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO THE GUY IS!
When I used to deal with people and I didn’t know who they were, I would ask him to identify himself.
Now I grant you Gates doesn’t know this. But it is common sense to understand that if a cop is showing up to investigate something and then asks who you are….You tell him!
Once properly identified this story is over. Its Gates who kept it going.
Yes, I know its his own home. BUT THE COP DOESN’T KNOW THAT UNTIL GATES IDENTIFIES HIMSELF!
This sadly, is not Rosa Parks, nor is it a case of racial profiling. Simply put it was a guy being a dick and a famous guy at that. The fact that he was black changes nothing.
Nobody likes being asked questions by a Police Officer, nobody! And I do understand being profiled. It has happened to me. But this has nothing to do with profiling.
There is a picture taken at the incident where you can see Gates in Handcuffs leaving the house and shouting. You can also see Sgt Crowley (the Arresting Officer) making a calming motion with hands.
You can see that Gates just flew off the handle.
As for the victory that some are alleging that Gates won by having the charges dropped. Even if the charge had been valid, the DA likely wouldn’t have prosecuted. Its a waste of time and money.
Sadly, this story doesn’t even deserve the 15 minutes of over heated coverage its getting now.
Did Crowley handle it badly? Sure he did. But so did Gates. This isn’t a story of a shinning moment in the battle for civil rights as much as it a case of egos clashing. And the sad part is.. we all have to put up with it.
Phantom Negro hit exactly on the head…
What bothers me is all the people saying “He’s a professor!” and “He works at Harvard!” as if these are somehow relevant. If he was a young black kid who didn’t go to college, would the police’s behavior have been acceptable then? While I don’t doubt that Gates was the unfortunate victim of racism and classism, his response (and many others) seems to imply that, absent the successes he’s achieved (and he has achieved success, no doubt), this situation would be okay. Ugh.
What bothers me is all the people saying “He’s a professor!” and “He works at Harvard!” as if these are somehow relevant. If he was a young black kid who didn’t go to college, would the police’s behavior have been acceptable then? While I don’t doubt that Gates was the unfortunate victim of racism and classism, his response (and many others) seems to imply that, absent the successes he’s achieved (and he has achieved success, no doubt), this situation would be okay. Ugh.
Clears up every doubt I had.
Brilliant. Thank you!
Clears up every doubt I had.
Brilliant. Thank you!
I should note, that we do as Black People have problems that we have to deal with in relation to the Police. I have been hassled and have enough training to know when somebody has picked me out when it was inappropriate. Also, I have enough brains to know what to do when the police show up. WHICH IS TO FREEZE AND MAKE SURE MY HANDS ARE VERY VISIBLE. Now the fact is that most people don’t actually act this way, but I do understand the concept of being born a suspect and therefore doing what I can to alleviate that belief whether it exists or not.
I understand that I shouldn’t have to act this way..But I realize that I do..
But my problem with Gates is that it tends to create three problems. First of all it subdues legitimate complaints that many might have and have distinct merit about police misconduct.
Second, it reaffirms the belief that people have that the way to handle inappropriate conduct with inappropriate conduct.
Finally it allows a person with an over inflated ego to feel aggrieved.
There are legitimate grievances to be raised and I for one don’t need this sideshow to detract from them.
I should note, that we do as Black People have problems that we have to deal with in relation to the Police. I have been hassled and have enough training to know when somebody has picked me out when it was inappropriate. Also, I have enough brains to know what to do when the police show up. WHICH IS TO FREEZE AND MAKE SURE MY HANDS ARE VERY VISIBLE. Now the fact is that most people don’t actually act this way, but I do understand the concept of being born a suspect and therefore doing what I can to alleviate that belief whether it exists or not.
I understand that I shouldn’t have to act this way..But I realize that I do..
But my problem with Gates is that it tends to create three problems. First of all it subdues legitimate complaints that many might have and have distinct merit about police misconduct.
Second, it reaffirms the belief that people have that the way to handle inappropriate conduct with inappropriate conduct.
Finally it allows a person with an over inflated ego to feel aggrieved.
There are legitimate grievances to be raised and I for one don’t need this sideshow to detract from them.
I agree with Phantom Negro and Harold’s assessment of the whole situation. This issue certainly does not deserve the attention it is getting. There are deeper and more serious problems that minorities face all over the world and to make an issue of a distinguished professor being interrogated or arrested for a few hours, only trifles the actual sentiments that some people share with minorities. This issue has nothing to do with any minority group. Its clearly to do with a person’s ego being provoked by way of unwarranted interrogation by a law enforcement officer. And in this case, he happened to be an ivy league professor. But that does not in anyway shield his belligerent behaviour. Notwithstanding the fact that nobody likes to be unreasonably questioned by a law enforcement officer, everyone complies by it despite not being the wrong doer. I am an Indian Attorney and I have an incident to share with you. Recently, Dr. Abdul Kalam, Nuclear Physicist and Former President of India was at an Indian airport to take a flight to the US for a conference. He was stopped by the US airline and was asked a lot of irrelevant questions about his proposed visit. Despite being told by people at the airport that he was a former President of the country, the airline still asked him to take his shoes off and submit to the examination. And all this ONLY because he has a Muslim name! But the greatness of this man allowed him to submit to the examination after which he was heard saying that they were only doing their job. After this incident was in the papers, the incumbent government immediately pulled up the airline for its actions and asked for an immediate apology as well as to stop its operations in India for a while. But Dr. Kalam came out of the incident unscathed and with a peace in his heart and mind! He did not escalate this issue into a “minority bashing” episode although it clearly was. Neither did he defy the airline by screaming out his credentials and social standing, and make a fool of himself in front of a person who really would not have cared a rat’s ass.
I agree with Phantom Negro and Harold’s assessment of the whole situation. This issue certainly does not deserve the attention it is getting. There are deeper and more serious problems that minorities face all over the world and to make an issue of a distinguished professor being interrogated or arrested for a few hours, only trifles the actual sentiments that some people share with minorities. This issue has nothing to do with any minority group. Its clearly to do with a person’s ego being provoked by way of unwarranted interrogation by a law enforcement officer. And in this case, he happened to be an ivy league professor. But that does not in anyway shield his belligerent behaviour. Notwithstanding the fact that nobody likes to be unreasonably questioned by a law enforcement officer, everyone complies by it despite not being the wrong doer. I am an Indian Attorney and I have an incident to share with you. Recently, Dr. Abdul Kalam, Nuclear Physicist and Former President of India was at an Indian airport to take a flight to the US for a conference. He was stopped by the US airline and was asked a lot of irrelevant questions about his proposed visit. Despite being told by people at the airport that he was a former President of the country, the airline still asked him to take his shoes off and submit to the examination. And all this ONLY because he has a Muslim name! But the greatness of this man allowed him to submit to the examination after which he was heard saying that they were only doing their job. After this incident was in the papers, the incumbent government immediately pulled up the airline for its actions and asked for an immediate apology as well as to stop its operations in India for a while. But Dr. Kalam came out of the incident unscathed and with a peace in his heart and mind! He did not escalate this issue into a “minority bashing” episode although it clearly was. Neither did he defy the airline by screaming out his credentials and social standing, and make a fool of himself in front of a person who really would not have cared a rat’s ass.
I don’t care if Skip Gates is the biggest pain-in-the-ass in world history; what happened to him should not have happened. Harold, dismissing the importance of his blackness just makes you sound like a pharaoh – king of denial! If you had returned home from a long haul journey, struggled to get into your house, then found yourself confronted by an authority figure of any kind, let alone a police officer, you’d be pissed off. Because you (claim to be) black, cops (black or white) are likely to use their power to detain you. We can pontificate for eternity about how Gates should have responded (& personally, I find him arrogant & condescending) but the fact is, being black, male & angry is risky, particularly with the police. There are countless dead bodies that attest to this. I’ve not been to Gates’ home (I don’t accept think I’d accept any invitation) but I’d bet this self-important man has pictures of himself clearly visible. He was testy & loud, but complied with the cop’s order to produce i-d. At this point, the cop should have done what he’s trained to do; ignore the (alleged) shouting & walk away. If Gates was white, long history shows he would have done.
I don’t care if Skip Gates is the biggest pain-in-the-ass in world history; what happened to him should not have happened. Harold, dismissing the importance of his blackness just makes you sound like a pharaoh – king of denial! If you had returned home from a long haul journey, struggled to get into your house, then found yourself confronted by an authority figure of any kind, let alone a police officer, you’d be pissed off. Because you (claim to be) black, cops (black or white) are likely to use their power to detain you. We can pontificate for eternity about how Gates should have responded (& personally, I find him arrogant & condescending) but the fact is, being black, male & angry is risky, particularly with the police. There are countless dead bodies that attest to this. I’ve not been to Gates’ home (I don’t accept think I’d accept any invitation) but I’d bet this self-important man has pictures of himself clearly visible. He was testy & loud, but complied with the cop’s order to produce i-d. At this point, the cop should have done what he’s trained to do; ignore the (alleged) shouting & walk away. If Gates was white, long history shows he would have done.
I just love the level of discussion this non-issue has stirred. But, more importantly, this is exactly what’s missing from the media. Insightful differences by various young, ‘minority’ people. Wolf Blitz., Olbermann, Matthews, Anderson, Maddox, Fox news, etc. don’t really get a full view of the complexity of our collective voices. Amazing, that no one has put together a news show that mirrors this comment section. Keep it up!!
I just love the level of discussion this non-issue has stirred. But, more importantly, this is exactly what’s missing from the media. Insightful differences by various young, ‘minority’ people. Wolf Blitz., Olbermann, Matthews, Anderson, Maddox, Fox news, etc. don’t really get a full view of the complexity of our collective voices. Amazing, that no one has put together a news show that mirrors this comment section. Keep it up!!
I’m a white reTIRED male living in Brazil, where class is way more pronounced than in the USA. With that and the economic crisis, I’ve been thinking a lot about class lately and think it’s probably Gates’ basic problem here. Gates is mad not that he black and got mishandled, but that he’s someBODY and got mishandled. I’ll bet if that weren’t true Phantom would use his or her real name. Gates ought to be glad/I wish we could get the cops to check our neighborhood (it’s too far from downtown). The Gates story is the second this week where someone in the USA with plenty of money blustered ”do you know who I am?” when not being served to their liking and it got reported. The other was Martha MacCallum, a TV reporter who had to let the parking attendant know who she worked for (Fox News) when her BMW suv wasn’t waiting for her. Whatever. My question is: why is Phantom Negro so afraid of Skip Gates that he has to use a pseudonym? He suggests he’s also an academic, wouldn’t that mean freedom with colleagues to share opinions?
I’m a white reTIRED male living in Brazil, where class is way more pronounced than in the USA. With that and the economic crisis, I’ve been thinking a lot about class lately and think it’s probably Gates’ basic problem here. Gates is mad not that he black and got mishandled, but that he’s someBODY and got mishandled. I’ll bet if that weren’t true Phantom would use his or her real name. Gates ought to be glad/I wish we could get the cops to check our neighborhood (it’s too far from downtown). The Gates story is the second this week where someone in the USA with plenty of money blustered ”do you know who I am?” when not being served to their liking and it got reported. The other was Martha MacCallum, a TV reporter who had to let the parking attendant know who she worked for (Fox News) when her BMW suv wasn’t waiting for her. Whatever. My question is: why is Phantom Negro so afraid of Skip Gates that he has to use a pseudonym? He suggests he’s also an academic, wouldn’t that mean freedom with colleagues to share opinions?
This article smacks of player hating. The fact remains that Skip Gates is a distinguished professor who has made a more than significant contribution to our American society and no one deserves to be treated that way regardless of where they work or went to school. He walks with a cane, which I am sure the police had to notice. What burgular walks with a cane and breaks into houses in broad day light? The truth of the matter is this incident is just the beginning of a distorted white backlash (which I hope is contained) at the fact that we have a president who is also “ivy league” and brilliant.
So that scene from “Birth of a Nation”, (which I’m sure is enblazoned on the psyche of many white Americans) has come to fruition but does not support their fear based ideology. African Americans can’t afford to parse out their feelings of resentment before the eyes of this nation because we will only appear to be schizophrenic to ourselves and others. One other thing, from the looks of those first two sentences, you need to review some grammar rules instead of spewing your twisted outlook.
This article smacks of player hating. The fact remains that Skip Gates is a distinguished professor who has made a more than significant contribution to our American society and no one deserves to be treated that way regardless of where they work or went to school. He walks with a cane, which I am sure the police had to notice. What burgular walks with a cane and breaks into houses in broad day light? The truth of the matter is this incident is just the beginning of a distorted white backlash (which I hope is contained) at the fact that we have a president who is also “ivy league” and brilliant.
So that scene from “Birth of a Nation”, (which I’m sure is enblazoned on the psyche of many white Americans) has come to fruition but does not support their fear based ideology. African Americans can’t afford to parse out their feelings of resentment before the eyes of this nation because we will only appear to be schizophrenic to ourselves and others. One other thing, from the looks of those first two sentences, you need to review some grammar rules instead of spewing your twisted outlook.
Thanks for your comment Anna. I guess it was aimed at me. ”Spewing my twisted outlook” and not knowing the grammar rules? Umm this board is interesting. Am I allowed to participate? Glad I moved out of the USA.
Thanks for your comment Anna. I guess it was aimed at me. ”Spewing my twisted outlook” and not knowing the grammar rules? Umm this board is interesting. Am I allowed to participate? Glad I moved out of the USA.
You slightly erudite bloggers are always grinding the axe on a wheel of cynicism. At what point can an incident be an incident? Why must blame be placed and character be questioned at every turn? Sure Dr. Gates is not the “Blackest” Black man out here – I agree. But, if I were to challenge your character rather than appreciate your well thought opinion, I would say you are a bit cowardly – or at least espouse cowardly reactions to the contemporary challenges of racism in America. If you feel compelled to blog of racism-based incidents and offer advice, please understand how it has been forced to evolve a few years before you were born. Cowardice has no place in the on-going struggle against systematic racism. The concept, thus far, in pushing back oppression has been: ‘fear of death won’t stop my progress’. Although Gates isn’t and cannot seriously be considered an advocate for anything to do with penal system injustice he still should be as loud 9literally and figuratively) as he pleases when being violated in his home. You say play the biotch role, I say Negro please!
You slightly erudite bloggers are always grinding the axe on a wheel of cynicism. At what point can an incident be an incident? Why must blame be placed and character be questioned at every turn? Sure Dr. Gates is not the “Blackest” Black man out here – I agree. But, if I were to challenge your character rather than appreciate your well thought opinion, I would say you are a bit cowardly – or at least espouse cowardly reactions to the contemporary challenges of racism in America. If you feel compelled to blog of racism-based incidents and offer advice, please understand how it has been forced to evolve a few years before you were born. Cowardice has no place in the on-going struggle against systematic racism. The concept, thus far, in pushing back oppression has been: ‘fear of death won’t stop my progress’. Although Gates isn’t and cannot seriously be considered an advocate for anything to do with penal system injustice he still should be as loud 9literally and figuratively) as he pleases when being violated in his home. You say play the biotch role, I say Negro please!
As a black person in law enforcement and a spouse of a street cop, I can see how both sides are to blame. Its also fair game to analyze whether Gates Ivy League hubris exacerbated things.
The cop could have ended the confrontation by simply walking away – especially once Gates became irate. But what if the cop was simply conducting a thorough, by-the-book investigation?
In his own words he describes how it was reported to him that there were two people burglarizing the house. Does he not bother to investigate? Should he have stood on the porch, took at face value Gates’ initial reply, and simply walk away at a mere nod from Gates? What if the Prof or his loved one was being held at gunpoint?
What would the CNN: Black in America outcry have been if Gates was being held captive by the intruders and the cop failed to do his job?
The sad thing is that the following “teachable moments” are going to be missed:
1. Don’t confront the police outside of court. Unless there is video evidence in your favor, you almost always lose.
2. Lose a confrontation with the cops and you’re typically in jail for a day; You might first get beaten, shot, or tazered.
3. Chances are Al Sharpton and Skip Gates won’t be there to represent you or bail you out.
4. Items 1 and 2 typically put your livelihood in jeopardy. It takes years to get even a disorderly off your record. It aint worth it.
5. If you feel that you have been mistreated, quietly state your case, then try to gather as much evidence as you can – without a confrontation.
6. 95% of cops could give a rip about your race. They care more about a. coming home alive and b. avoiding aggravation.
7. The one thing that the police cannot control is your mouth. If you think you’re in trouble, keep your mouth shut.
As a black person in law enforcement and a spouse of a street cop, I can see how both sides are to blame. Its also fair game to analyze whether Gates Ivy League hubris exacerbated things.
The cop could have ended the confrontation by simply walking away – especially once Gates became irate. But what if the cop was simply conducting a thorough, by-the-book investigation?
In his own words he describes how it was reported to him that there were two people burglarizing the house. Does he not bother to investigate? Should he have stood on the porch, took at face value Gates’ initial reply, and simply walk away at a mere nod from Gates? What if the Prof or his loved one was being held at gunpoint?
What would the CNN: Black in America outcry have been if Gates was being held captive by the intruders and the cop failed to do his job?
The sad thing is that the following “teachable moments” are going to be missed:
1. Don’t confront the police outside of court. Unless there is video evidence in your favor, you almost always lose.
2. Lose a confrontation with the cops and you’re typically in jail for a day; You might first get beaten, shot, or tazered.
3. Chances are Al Sharpton and Skip Gates won’t be there to represent you or bail you out.
4. Items 1 and 2 typically put your livelihood in jeopardy. It takes years to get even a disorderly off your record. It aint worth it.
5. If you feel that you have been mistreated, quietly state your case, then try to gather as much evidence as you can – without a confrontation.
6. 95% of cops could give a rip about your race. They care more about a. coming home alive and b. avoiding aggravation.
7. The one thing that the police cannot control is your mouth. If you think you’re in trouble, keep your mouth shut.
Since none of us was there, there is no way to know for sure. At the same time, it does seem reasonable that there was an element of class in Dr. Gate’s response to the altercation. How big a role it played is anyone’s guess. Most people, including non-Ivy leaguers like me, would be outraged if police were to enter our homes, believing us to be robbers. How do you separate this natural outrage from class?
I also part with Phantom on his/her assumption that the racism part of this incident began and ended with the white caller. I can easily see the sergeant deciding that he would put Gates, an obviously “uppity” black man, in his place, to remind him that he was beneath him and no different from the street punks that he deals with every day; no wonder he refuses to apologize.
Others have noted this and I concur. Had Gates been white, the sergeant would have been more respectful and understanding of his outrage and would never have arrested him.
I also do not see why Phantom believes that it was strictly Gates’ responsibility to cool the situation. Why wasn’t it also the sergeants? Why should we not demand that our police officers have the temperament and training to deal with tough situations?
Since none of us was there, there is no way to know for sure. At the same time, it does seem reasonable that there was an element of class in Dr. Gate’s response to the altercation. How big a role it played is anyone’s guess. Most people, including non-Ivy leaguers like me, would be outraged if police were to enter our homes, believing us to be robbers. How do you separate this natural outrage from class?
I also part with Phantom on his/her assumption that the racism part of this incident began and ended with the white caller. I can easily see the sergeant deciding that he would put Gates, an obviously “uppity” black man, in his place, to remind him that he was beneath him and no different from the street punks that he deals with every day; no wonder he refuses to apologize.
Others have noted this and I concur. Had Gates been white, the sergeant would have been more respectful and understanding of his outrage and would never have arrested him.
I also do not see why Phantom believes that it was strictly Gates’ responsibility to cool the situation. Why wasn’t it also the sergeants? Why should we not demand that our police officers have the temperament and training to deal with tough situations?
No it wasn’t about you Rick. I was refering to the first two sentences of the article. This is the first time I’ve ever responded to a blog. I thought I was being clear. Why would I care about what you said? Who are you? Maybe I made a mistake in my posting. ????
No it wasn’t about you Rick. I was refering to the first two sentences of the article. This is the first time I’ve ever responded to a blog. I thought I was being clear. Why would I care about what you said? Who are you? Maybe I made a mistake in my posting. ????
Of course, the usual racism abounds, but Gates begs us to revisit his intra-racist, elitist positions, and now he seems to have been seduced into thinking that he can sass white folks and get away with it. And to use some passe “momma-retort” to signal his very real hurt, why that’s just down right tired. I thought he was more “fabulous” than that!! Seriously, the story is disturbing not only for all the usual (and ostensible) reasons, but also for the more latently traumatic ones: Race is more about protean process than static category. Gates was and is more a blackENED professor than a black one. The cops’ behavior belie the utter intransigence of whiteness and their whitenENED status with performances of naivete and innocence that resist being fully analyzed–thanks to racialized acts masked/co-opted/commodified by “mainstream Americanisms.”
Of course, the usual racism abounds, but Gates begs us to revisit his intra-racist, elitist positions, and now he seems to have been seduced into thinking that he can sass white folks and get away with it. And to use some passe “momma-retort” to signal his very real hurt, why that’s just down right tired. I thought he was more “fabulous” than that!! Seriously, the story is disturbing not only for all the usual (and ostensible) reasons, but also for the more latently traumatic ones: Race is more about protean process than static category. Gates was and is more a blackENED professor than a black one. The cops’ behavior belie the utter intransigence of whiteness and their whitenENED status with performances of naivete and innocence that resist being fully analyzed–thanks to racialized acts masked/co-opted/commodified by “mainstream Americanisms.”
Anna, Now I feel better
How about President Obama’s handling of his part in this with his ”3 of us have a beer” routine? That and the phone call to the cop seem to be a good alternative to a public apology for saying the cops acted stupidly LOL even though (or exactly because) the police department is demanding it. I for one think it would be the right thing for the officer and the professor to apologize as well since, at least to me, it looks like everybody over reacted. As for the demands of the Cambridge PD, USA police generally are in no position to be demanding apologies from blacks, let alone the president. Remember the last ”president” couldn’t even think of any mistakes he made let alone suggest he was sorry for anything LOL.
Anna, Now I feel better
How about President Obama’s handling of his part in this with his ”3 of us have a beer” routine? That and the phone call to the cop seem to be a good alternative to a public apology for saying the cops acted stupidly LOL even though (or exactly because) the police department is demanding it. I for one think it would be the right thing for the officer and the professor to apologize as well since, at least to me, it looks like everybody over reacted. As for the demands of the Cambridge PD, USA police generally are in no position to be demanding apologies from blacks, let alone the president. Remember the last ”president” couldn’t even think of any mistakes he made let alone suggest he was sorry for anything LOL.
A pseudonym, in this case, is essential.
Yes it is…when you’re a punk. I wrote for Africana (also started by Dr. Gates) while I was in college, and I never needed a pseudonym, just like I don’t right now. But I guess if my writing was THIS bad, I’d hide behind a fake name as well.
A pseudonym, in this case, is essential.
Yes it is…when you’re a punk. I wrote for Africana (also started by Dr. Gates) while I was in college, and I never needed a pseudonym, just like I don’t right now. But I guess if my writing was THIS bad, I’d hide behind a fake name as well.
The King of Denial? Nonsense. The point that you ignore is that THERE WAS A REASON GATES WAS CONFRONTED.
The Police thought there was a burglar in the house.
Context is everything. Getting angry because a Police officer for no reason enters your home is one thing. But when the officer identifies himself and explains why he is there…ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD RESPOND WITH ANGER.
As to whether Gates had pictures of himself. It is likely only Superman with Telescopic vision could have seen them from the porch. We can surmise what we want, but that does not make them facts.
What is the fact is that the Officer called out to Gates and asked for I.D. and Gates refused. The Officer at this point has legal and probable cause to demand that Gates i.d. himself.
And I don’t care how put out Gates was..He was required to comply.
As to your claim that being black and angry has resulted in “Countless Deaths” the most sincere proof of insanity is to continue behavior that has repeatedly resulted in failure.
Finally, the argument that in responding to a burglary a police officer would not demand identification of someone found in a home if they were white is about as bogus as it gets. That’s the first thing they would do. If only to cover their backside so they could say they identified the person inside.
The King of Denial? Nonsense. The point that you ignore is that THERE WAS A REASON GATES WAS CONFRONTED.
The Police thought there was a burglar in the house.
Context is everything. Getting angry because a Police officer for no reason enters your home is one thing. But when the officer identifies himself and explains why he is there…ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD RESPOND WITH ANGER.
As to whether Gates had pictures of himself. It is likely only Superman with Telescopic vision could have seen them from the porch. We can surmise what we want, but that does not make them facts.
What is the fact is that the Officer called out to Gates and asked for I.D. and Gates refused. The Officer at this point has legal and probable cause to demand that Gates i.d. himself.
And I don’t care how put out Gates was..He was required to comply.
As to your claim that being black and angry has resulted in “Countless Deaths” the most sincere proof of insanity is to continue behavior that has repeatedly resulted in failure.
Finally, the argument that in responding to a burglary a police officer would not demand identification of someone found in a home if they were white is about as bogus as it gets. That’s the first thing they would do. If only to cover their backside so they could say they identified the person inside.
Harold you’re right on.
Only in today’s society are people trying to excuse “the professors” behavior.
1.He just got back on a long trip and was exhausted.
How the hell are the cops supposed to know that he was grumpy and tired? If somehow they did know, are you now entitled to act like an ass to law enforcement because of this? Should the cops have said, “Oh were so sorry Mr. Professor, we had no idea you were grumpy and tired. Just tell us next time and we’ll leave immediately.”
Come on people, that excuse is retarded. Who isn’t grumpy and tired.
2. Being arrested in your own home would piss you off.
Read what really happened. Some of these bloggers are like the Jena 6 crowd and don’t know the facts. Gates was arrested outside his house after continuing to berate the officers. The picture you see was after he went back into his house to retrieve his cane.
3. Having a neighbor call the police on Gates pissed him off.
Gates was new to the neighborhood and many of the neighbors had no idea who he was. There was also a recent history of break ins in the area.
I could go on ad nauseam but what’s the point.
This nation is lost and only in today’s misguided and convoluted world do people think there are a multitude of excuses especially for blacks to act irrational. As if they have that right because of the historical injustices committed decades if not centuries ago by nobody alive today.
The bottom line is that the police got a call about a possible burglary. They had NO idea who Gates was and what they were going to encounter. Try if you can and imagine that.
How twisted has our society become when so many think Gate’s tantrum was totally acceptable?
Believe me, I’m not pro police but any sane person in this situation without an axe to grind or chip on their shoulder would have cooperated, thanked the police for their concern and the issue would be over. But this good “professor” had the usual black response of losing control and claiming racism.
This bozo is supposed to be an example of black excellence? He is teaching and supposed to be setting an example for our kids. Welcome to liberal education at Ivy League USA.
This is why I believe blacks cannot exist peacefully in Western societies. They’ve proven it day after year after decade no matter where on the planet they exist.
Harold you’re right on.
Only in today’s society are people trying to excuse “the professors” behavior.
1.He just got back on a long trip and was exhausted.
How the hell are the cops supposed to know that he was grumpy and tired? If somehow they did know, are you now entitled to act like an ass to law enforcement because of this? Should the cops have said, “Oh were so sorry Mr. Professor, we had no idea you were grumpy and tired. Just tell us next time and we’ll leave immediately.”
Come on people, that excuse is retarded. Who isn’t grumpy and tired.
2. Being arrested in your own home would piss you off.
Read what really happened. Some of these bloggers are like the Jena 6 crowd and don’t know the facts. Gates was arrested outside his house after continuing to berate the officers. The picture you see was after he went back into his house to retrieve his cane.
3. Having a neighbor call the police on Gates pissed him off.
Gates was new to the neighborhood and many of the neighbors had no idea who he was. There was also a recent history of break ins in the area.
I could go on ad nauseam but what’s the point.
This nation is lost and only in today’s misguided and convoluted world do people think there are a multitude of excuses especially for blacks to act irrational. As if they have that right because of the historical injustices committed decades if not centuries ago by nobody alive today.
The bottom line is that the police got a call about a possible burglary. They had NO idea who Gates was and what they were going to encounter. Try if you can and imagine that.
How twisted has our society become when so many think Gate’s tantrum was totally acceptable?
Believe me, I’m not pro police but any sane person in this situation without an axe to grind or chip on their shoulder would have cooperated, thanked the police for their concern and the issue would be over. But this good “professor” had the usual black response of losing control and claiming racism.
This bozo is supposed to be an example of black excellence? He is teaching and supposed to be setting an example for our kids. Welcome to liberal education at Ivy League USA.
This is why I believe blacks cannot exist peacefully in Western societies. They’ve proven it day after year after decade no matter where on the planet they exist.
Rick, here’s what I think about that. I think that when he was asked that question and expected to think about such minutia in the light of our current problems some where inside of him something just got real pissed off and his honesty just took over. I think he speaks with integrity and his thought processes can only filter through so much crap. So I liked his answer because it was true!!. So now the police let the situation get out of control. So many policemen need to develop some social intelligence. I wonder how much resentment was in the heart of that policeman when he saw that black man that did not fit a stereo type speaking to him in a manner that he did not like.
When Gates showed his id the policeman could have backed down and apologized but he chose to pursue a path that staked his position as the dominant one. To know that many policemen think inside that framework to me is scary. They are also peace officers. Diviversity training and human relations training should be required professional development for police, some more than others.
Rick, here’s what I think about that. I think that when he was asked that question and expected to think about such minutia in the light of our current problems some where inside of him something just got real pissed off and his honesty just took over. I think he speaks with integrity and his thought processes can only filter through so much crap. So I liked his answer because it was true!!. So now the police let the situation get out of control. So many policemen need to develop some social intelligence. I wonder how much resentment was in the heart of that policeman when he saw that black man that did not fit a stereo type speaking to him in a manner that he did not like.
When Gates showed his id the policeman could have backed down and apologized but he chose to pursue a path that staked his position as the dominant one. To know that many policemen think inside that framework to me is scary. They are also peace officers. Diviversity training and human relations training should be required professional development for police, some more than others.
Dear Phantom Negro:
Fuck you idiot.
Regards,
sy
Dear Phantom Negro:
Fuck you idiot.
Regards,
sy
My comment disappeared because I had the nerve to call this cowardly “author” out on his crap. No wonder he can’t stand Dr. Gates. Ol’ boy would’ve been softshoeing and probably would’ve pulled out his own handcuffs…then got shot anyway. Asshole or no asshole, the cop was DEAD WRONG for not giving his badge number when requested (which is the LAW), falsely arresting Dr. Gates for little more than “contempt of cop”, and supposedly not reading Dr. Gates his rights for FORTY-FIVE MINUTES! Yeah, there’s a GREAT cop, Pres. Obama!
Sweet merciful crap, what happened to the REAL black men?
LULZ!!!
My comment disappeared because I had the nerve to call this cowardly “author” out on his crap. No wonder he can’t stand Dr. Gates. Ol’ boy would’ve been softshoeing and probably would’ve pulled out his own handcuffs…then got shot anyway. Asshole or no asshole, the cop was DEAD WRONG for not giving his badge number when requested (which is the LAW), falsely arresting Dr. Gates for little more than “contempt of cop”, and supposedly not reading Dr. Gates his rights for FORTY-FIVE MINUTES! Yeah, there’s a GREAT cop, Pres. Obama!
Sweet merciful crap, what happened to the REAL black men?
LULZ!!!
WAH!!!! I see my comment now, and now I can’t take mine back. So I apologize for part (and I do mean PART) of my aforementioned post. Like, the first sentence of it.
WAH!!!! I see my comment now, and now I can’t take mine back. So I apologize for part (and I do mean PART) of my aforementioned post. Like, the first sentence of it.
It’s amazing that you all want to make this all about race. You flatter yourselves !
The cop was just doing what cops do. And black, white or brown, acting like an “asshole” to a cop investigating a crime is likely to get one arrested. Gates’ race had nothing to do with it. He was arrested for being an “asshole” to the cop. Period. And believe me, Gates is an arrogant prick. I’m not at all surprised it happened. Nor am I surprised at the way he handled himself.
The attempt to cram this event into the standard racism narrative fails to consider the actual facts.
A person who defines his/her life by reference to his/her race is likely to find rascism wherever he/she looks.
Zebraman
It’s amazing that you all want to make this all about race. You flatter yourselves !
The cop was just doing what cops do. And black, white or brown, acting like an “asshole” to a cop investigating a crime is likely to get one arrested. Gates’ race had nothing to do with it. He was arrested for being an “asshole” to the cop. Period. And believe me, Gates is an arrogant prick. I’m not at all surprised it happened. Nor am I surprised at the way he handled himself.
The attempt to cram this event into the standard racism narrative fails to consider the actual facts.
A person who defines his/her life by reference to his/her race is likely to find rascism wherever he/she looks.
Zebraman
Your obviously a brilliant and intelligent Black man, and your analysis is correct in many ways. But there are at least a couple of flaws in your reasoning. I happen to be not Black. But I can tell you this – Prof. Gates (I do not know him personally to call him “Skip”) has certainly done far, far more, to help the disadvantaged African American than you have. As brilliant as you are, you’re obviously not informed of the importance of restoring to a people their destroyed history. It is his kind of work which made it possible for someone to achieve the status of Obama. You seem not to appreciate that Barack is a graduate of that same Ivy League you berate. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to improve the lot of poor people, white or black. You sound like Malcolm X – but your clearly not. My advice to you is to focus in on the real issue – the use of the law of Disorderly Conduct to put a distinguished man (white or black) in his place vis-a-vis the Police. And even the President of the United States had to back off – due to the organized uproar of all policemen throughout our country. Furthermore, don’t overlook – Gates seems to have done – that the leading police officer escorting Gates to jail was himself black. So if you want to help your incarcerated black brothers now in jail, I suggest you join me, Gates, Obama, and everyone else you can get, to modify the Disorderly Conduct law so that police departments – such as the one at Cambridge – do not permit policemen to arrest someone because they called the officer’s “mama” some name. I doubt Gates did that – you might do that, but not Gates – that’s a difference I detect in your language (I’m probably mistaken – so I’m sorry). But maybe that’s a manifestation of Crowley’s Racism – he perhaps believes the common “whitey” generalization, that if you want to get into a fight with a black man – just call his “mama” a name. I hope Prof. Gates (as well as you) sees that the issue here should be addressed as one of abuse of police authority which affects more poor people (black or white) than it does the middle class. And I hope you overcome your obvious under-appreciation for the good work Dr. Gates has done and continues to do for all of us, black or white, citizens of these United States under the most brilliant US President since Lincoln – or is Barack Obama too bourgeois for your taste too?
Your obviously a brilliant and intelligent Black man, and your analysis is correct in many ways. But there are at least a couple of flaws in your reasoning. I happen to be not Black. But I can tell you this – Prof. Gates (I do not know him personally to call him “Skip”) has certainly done far, far more, to help the disadvantaged African American than you have. As brilliant as you are, you’re obviously not informed of the importance of restoring to a people their destroyed history. It is his kind of work which made it possible for someone to achieve the status of Obama. You seem not to appreciate that Barack is a graduate of that same Ivy League you berate. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to improve the lot of poor people, white or black. You sound like Malcolm X – but your clearly not. My advice to you is to focus in on the real issue – the use of the law of Disorderly Conduct to put a distinguished man (white or black) in his place vis-a-vis the Police. And even the President of the United States had to back off – due to the organized uproar of all policemen throughout our country. Furthermore, don’t overlook – Gates seems to have done – that the leading police officer escorting Gates to jail was himself black. So if you want to help your incarcerated black brothers now in jail, I suggest you join me, Gates, Obama, and everyone else you can get, to modify the Disorderly Conduct law so that police departments – such as the one at Cambridge – do not permit policemen to arrest someone because they called the officer’s “mama” some name. I doubt Gates did that – you might do that, but not Gates – that’s a difference I detect in your language (I’m probably mistaken – so I’m sorry). But maybe that’s a manifestation of Crowley’s Racism – he perhaps believes the common “whitey” generalization, that if you want to get into a fight with a black man – just call his “mama” a name. I hope Prof. Gates (as well as you) sees that the issue here should be addressed as one of abuse of police authority which affects more poor people (black or white) than it does the middle class. And I hope you overcome your obvious under-appreciation for the good work Dr. Gates has done and continues to do for all of us, black or white, citizens of these United States under the most brilliant US President since Lincoln – or is Barack Obama too bourgeois for your taste too?
Ludvikus,
Please enlighten all of us to what the esteemed professor Gates has done to advance the cause of blacks in America? This will be entertaining.
I assume because he just acted “normal”, cried racism, and acted like an out of control bafoon we should behold his greatness. After all he didn’t pull out a 9 mm and start blasting away.
You must be related to Obama, at least genetically. Your thought pattern is interestingly similar. You don’t know Gates but you know what a great, brilliant and intelligent black man he is. Yea, he sure acted that way. You see, that’s the issue. People like you are so brainwashed or ready to harp on America’s horrible racist past that they make any excuse for the actions of blacks.
If this turd is the best black society has to offer and they and liberal dummies continue to defend his actions like I said earlier, it just reenforces that blacks cannot live in Western society. It cannot be comprehended how the thought process of right and wrong or simple civil behavior is so different between the cultures.
It’s especially entertaining how you talk down to the writer as if your some kind of educated renaissance man. You then go on with your ad hominem diatribe that because Gates is who he is he couldn’t have done anything wrong. Hilarious.
People who are very intelligent never have to go around telling people how smart they are especially around the “common” folk. I never heard stories of Michael Jordan bragging about how he will dominate his opposition before a game. It’s actions that have meaning to the truly brilliant.
I can only guess that the esteemed professor Gates got into the Ivy league simply because he was black and stayed in school. With the help of the evil white man, he like the Obama’s received preferential treatment and were admitted with open arms by liberal indoctrination camps like Harvard. Do any “intelligent” black men ever enter into the field of science or technology or must they all get their “Ph.D.’s” in so called African American studies? Was that one of the three “R’s in Africa? I guess I’m a Ph.D. in my knowledge of Haplogroupr1a1.
The bottom line is the more things change the more they stay the same. We have an African American president in the most powerful nation on earth yet it’s evil whitey still holding minorities and especially blacks down. This charade is tired. Hmm, why is it that I never here the horrible plight and how racist whites are from the Asian community? Statistically they’ve come here with far less than blacks have economically yet are able to assimilate and succeed at rates greater than whites. Why is that? That elephant is still sitting in the corner of the room and he’s been there forever.
I guess I should be thankful that blacks have made great strides in this country. Maybe professor Gates has replaced OJ as the new role model. If America is so horribly racist, why do they continue to want to be around us? Please, go back to the motherland, you’ll love it I’m sure!
Ludvikus,
Please enlighten all of us to what the esteemed professor Gates has done to advance the cause of blacks in America? This will be entertaining.
I assume because he just acted “normal”, cried racism, and acted like an out of control bafoon we should behold his greatness. After all he didn’t pull out a 9 mm and start blasting away.
You must be related to Obama, at least genetically. Your thought pattern is interestingly similar. You don’t know Gates but you know what a great, brilliant and intelligent black man he is. Yea, he sure acted that way. You see, that’s the issue. People like you are so brainwashed or ready to harp on America’s horrible racist past that they make any excuse for the actions of blacks.
If this turd is the best black society has to offer and they and liberal dummies continue to defend his actions like I said earlier, it just reenforces that blacks cannot live in Western society. It cannot be comprehended how the thought process of right and wrong or simple civil behavior is so different between the cultures.
It’s especially entertaining how you talk down to the writer as if your some kind of educated renaissance man. You then go on with your ad hominem diatribe that because Gates is who he is he couldn’t have done anything wrong. Hilarious.
People who are very intelligent never have to go around telling people how smart they are especially around the “common” folk. I never heard stories of Michael Jordan bragging about how he will dominate his opposition before a game. It’s actions that have meaning to the truly brilliant.
I can only guess that the esteemed professor Gates got into the Ivy league simply because he was black and stayed in school. With the help of the evil white man, he like the Obama’s received preferential treatment and were admitted with open arms by liberal indoctrination camps like Harvard. Do any “intelligent” black men ever enter into the field of science or technology or must they all get their “Ph.D.’s” in so called African American studies? Was that one of the three “R’s in Africa? I guess I’m a Ph.D. in my knowledge of Haplogroupr1a1.
The bottom line is the more things change the more they stay the same. We have an African American president in the most powerful nation on earth yet it’s evil whitey still holding minorities and especially blacks down. This charade is tired. Hmm, why is it that I never here the horrible plight and how racist whites are from the Asian community? Statistically they’ve come here with far less than blacks have economically yet are able to assimilate and succeed at rates greater than whites. Why is that? That elephant is still sitting in the corner of the room and he’s been there forever.
I guess I should be thankful that blacks have made great strides in this country. Maybe professor Gates has replaced OJ as the new role model. If America is so horribly racist, why do they continue to want to be around us? Please, go back to the motherland, you’ll love it I’m sure!
I think you are missing Gates’ point. He’s not saying he of all Black men didn’t deserve this treatment while others do. He is saying that it’s a myth that “achievement” can get you outside of racism. He’s saying “look at me, I followed all their rules, I won the game by their standards and they still treat me like a n-word.” He’s trying to CROSS class borders here, not build them up.
I think you are missing Gates’ point. He’s not saying he of all Black men didn’t deserve this treatment while others do. He is saying that it’s a myth that “achievement” can get you outside of racism. He’s saying “look at me, I followed all their rules, I won the game by their standards and they still treat me like a n-word.” He’s trying to CROSS class borders here, not build them up.
Phantom Negro speaks the truth. This case is more about class, and unfortunately, Skip Gates than anything else. Check out my thoughts on the Gates fiasco at http://fullagenda.blogspot.com/.
Phantom Negro speaks the truth. This case is more about class, and unfortunately, Skip Gates than anything else. Check out my thoughts on the Gates fiasco at http://fullagenda.blogspot.com/.
phantom negro falls into the trap, he believes Skip Gates version
the police radio communication and Gates hysteria are all on tape
the police are required to examine the house before they leave
and the fact that police came to a party, and no one left?
police look for suspicious behavior, police do no look for skin color…
Unhappily racial profiling goes both ways
phantom negro falls into the trap, he believes Skip Gates version
the police radio communication and Gates hysteria are all on tape
the police are required to examine the house before they leave
and the fact that police came to a party, and no one left?
police look for suspicious behavior, police do no look for skin color…
Unhappily racial profiling goes both ways
Ironic that Gates’ “profiling” of white police officers caused him to be guilty of the very thing he ascribed to the officer. If the officer was black and had said and done the exact same things, Gates would’ve been mild as a pussycat and there would’ve been no disturbance, no arrest.
For those looking for the “teachable moment” to which Obama referred, maybe it’s that white police officers have no monopoly on racial profiling. Time for blacks to recognize that they, too, can be guilty of stereotyping and racial prejudice.
Ironic that Gates’ “profiling” of white police officers caused him to be guilty of the very thing he ascribed to the officer. If the officer was black and had said and done the exact same things, Gates would’ve been mild as a pussycat and there would’ve been no disturbance, no arrest.
For those looking for the “teachable moment” to which Obama referred, maybe it’s that white police officers have no monopoly on racial profiling. Time for blacks to recognize that they, too, can be guilty of stereotyping and racial prejudice.
Chris Rock has some advice
Chris Rock has some advice
The teacher has become the student.
There is no question that Skip Gates was doing the profiling in this instance and fate delivered him a good cop who teaches what Gates preaches. I’m amazed but not surprised that there hasn’t been more discussion on that aspect. I certainly hope that when Skip suggested that this is a teachable moment, that he suddenly realized what he had done. We’ll see, but I suspect the Ivy League arrogance will continue.
Bill
The teacher has become the student.
There is no question that Skip Gates was doing the profiling in this instance and fate delivered him a good cop who teaches what Gates preaches. I’m amazed but not surprised that there hasn’t been more discussion on that aspect. I certainly hope that when Skip suggested that this is a teachable moment, that he suddenly realized what he had done. We’ll see, but I suspect the Ivy League arrogance will continue.
Bill
How was this profiling? The person who called the cops could not describe the people forcing the front door. She asked the cops to check it out. The cops checked it out. Is that profiling?
Certainly racism still exists. But for President Obama to indict the Cambridge Cops for performing stupidly without the facts and for Gates to claim “profiling” was not warrented, not factual and gave no justice to the situation. Now the situation has a life of its own. Discussion of profiling is valid but nobody should tie it to this case.
How was this profiling? The person who called the cops could not describe the people forcing the front door. She asked the cops to check it out. The cops checked it out. Is that profiling?
Certainly racism still exists. But for President Obama to indict the Cambridge Cops for performing stupidly without the facts and for Gates to claim “profiling” was not warrented, not factual and gave no justice to the situation. Now the situation has a life of its own. Discussion of profiling is valid but nobody should tie it to this case.
The 911 tapes were just released. The caller makes absolutely no mention of race whatsoever, and even openly admits she was unable to identify the race of the men. She made the call because she was concerned about recent break-ins in the area. Crowley (on tape) likewise never mentions race at all. Please. Get over it. Gates acted like an ass and then tried to whip this into some “racial profiling” frenzy. It’s not.
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/072709_911_caller_didnt_cite_race
The 911 tapes were just released. The caller makes absolutely no mention of race whatsoever, and even openly admits she was unable to identify the race of the men. She made the call because she was concerned about recent break-ins in the area. Crowley (on tape) likewise never mentions race at all. Please. Get over it. Gates acted like an ass and then tried to whip this into some “racial profiling” frenzy. It’s not.
http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/072709_911_caller_didnt_cite_race
Thanks, this was a great read this morning. I loved it.
Thanks, this was a great read this morning. I loved it.
true word of wisdom. I enjoyed reading this commentary, it is so full of insightfullness, that it makes you reflect on just where we are in this society, and where we need improvement.
true word of wisdom. I enjoyed reading this commentary, it is so full of insightfullness, that it makes you reflect on just where we are in this society, and where we need improvement.
Nice post – but I think you miss the point. While Gates, you and other Blacks think you are looked down upon cause you are black – you are wrong – you are looked down upon because people are trying to build themselves up in the Wealth and power class war. So, it is not even about you, your race, your color, your gender – it is about them and how they can become more like a celebrity and live the “privileged life” – so instead of allowing this “euphoria of being racially profiled or racially classed profiled” stop – it has never been about you – now just live your life – and just breathe.
Again, nice insight into the so-called racial issues – but as a White female who raised a child alone and fought the fight in high tech – I can tell you – you are just one the many- let it go
Nice post – but I think you miss the point. While Gates, you and other Blacks think you are looked down upon cause you are black – you are wrong – you are looked down upon because people are trying to build themselves up in the Wealth and power class war. So, it is not even about you, your race, your color, your gender – it is about them and how they can become more like a celebrity and live the “privileged life” – so instead of allowing this “euphoria of being racially profiled or racially classed profiled” stop – it has never been about you – now just live your life – and just breathe.
Again, nice insight into the so-called racial issues – but as a White female who raised a child alone and fought the fight in high tech – I can tell you – you are just one the many- let it go
Jan – Incoherent. And how does your child rearing experience grant you insight into racial issues? I hate to even call them issues because that implies that race is apart from the entire institution we live in.
I love how whites like yourself comment on these blogs and seem to believe that history is something that just happens and has no impact on anything that comes after it. Newsflash, segregation ended 60 years ago, and slavery 100 before that. This has shaped our society. It is a fact we can all deal with, not something to “let go” of. But I digress.
Who are these “People” who want things you refer to? Since you eliminate gender, race, or class being issues, what you really state by omission is that Rich White Men (the only faction not identified by gender or race because they represent the neutral norm) want the status quo to remain as it is.
In conclusion, either you agree with a lot of the article, or you don;t know what you just said.
Jan – Incoherent. And how does your child rearing experience grant you insight into racial issues? I hate to even call them issues because that implies that race is apart from the entire institution we live in.
I love how whites like yourself comment on these blogs and seem to believe that history is something that just happens and has no impact on anything that comes after it. Newsflash, segregation ended 60 years ago, and slavery 100 before that. This has shaped our society. It is a fact we can all deal with, not something to “let go” of. But I digress.
Who are these “People” who want things you refer to? Since you eliminate gender, race, or class being issues, what you really state by omission is that Rich White Men (the only faction not identified by gender or race because they represent the neutral norm) want the status quo to remain as it is.
In conclusion, either you agree with a lot of the article, or you don;t know what you just said.
Whoa now, hold on a minute why does every situation have to carry political and social baggage. It’s possible to say both men were right (or wrong) without the racial and class connotations or in spite of them. Maybe Gates’ reaction was based on a perceived,(if not unjustified)expectation of racial bias, and perhaps Officer Crowley’s reaction was based on a perceived (if not unjustified) expectation of Gates class contempt…..or maybe cops do what cops do, when being mouthed off at(in front of other cops,no less)….slap on some cuffs …4th amendment be damned.
Whoa now, hold on a minute why does every situation have to carry political and social baggage. It’s possible to say both men were right (or wrong) without the racial and class connotations or in spite of them. Maybe Gates’ reaction was based on a perceived,(if not unjustified)expectation of racial bias, and perhaps Officer Crowley’s reaction was based on a perceived (if not unjustified) expectation of Gates class contempt…..or maybe cops do what cops do, when being mouthed off at(in front of other cops,no less)….slap on some cuffs …4th amendment be damned.
“It made Gates forget that, no matter what, even when you’re right, you don’t talk shit to the police.”
You think that’s not true for me too!!?
I loved this piece until I read that line.
This case is more about class than race.
Read the words: “this case.”
Racism is very real. But if Gates were Jewish he’d be one of those pontificating Zionists lecturing everyone about Israel. He’s an ass.
“It made Gates forget that, no matter what, even when you’re right, you don’t talk shit to the police.”
You think that’s not true for me too!!?
I loved this piece until I read that line.
This case is more about class than race.
Read the words: “this case.”
Racism is very real. But if Gates were Jewish he’d be one of those pontificating Zionists lecturing everyone about Israel. He’s an ass.
to: Haplogroupr1a1 “If America is so horribly racist, why do they continue to want to be around us? Please, go back to the motherland, you’ll love it I’m sure!” Why don’t you go back to your arian nazi web home and live happily ever after in your moron cave.
to: Haplogroupr1a1 “If America is so horribly racist, why do they continue to want to be around us? Please, go back to the motherland, you’ll love it I’m sure!” Why don’t you go back to your arian nazi web home and live happily ever after in your moron cave.
First, excellent piece. I do also think that the self preservation point is worth noting. While we are debating the relative non-issue of a guy getting pissed at the cop and losing his temper. It gives the impression to other people that this is a good idea but many people aren’t as safe mouthing off to police as ivy league professors, particularly young black men who cops find threatening. It was worth noting that if a cop actually feels threatened they could go for their guns and scaring someone who is armed is never a good idea.
For a normal person, getting killed is ussually what brings this kind of media attention, not just being inconvienced, getting arrested, and having the charges dropped.
First, excellent piece. I do also think that the self preservation point is worth noting. While we are debating the relative non-issue of a guy getting pissed at the cop and losing his temper. It gives the impression to other people that this is a good idea but many people aren’t as safe mouthing off to police as ivy league professors, particularly young black men who cops find threatening. It was worth noting that if a cop actually feels threatened they could go for their guns and scaring someone who is armed is never a good idea.
For a normal person, getting killed is ussually what brings this kind of media attention, not just being inconvienced, getting arrested, and having the charges dropped.
Phatom Negro takes advantage of the hard work that my generation put in to give him the oportunity to speak-up. Too bad he has to hide behind a fictitious name to vent his pseudo-intellectual bullcrap. Worst of all I wasted 2 minutes of my precious time reading his pointless tirade. A more suitable name would be “Phantom Coward”. Go away, Phantom Negro, and come back as “Progressive Brother”.
Phatom Negro takes advantage of the hard work that my generation put in to give him the oportunity to speak-up. Too bad he has to hide behind a fictitious name to vent his pseudo-intellectual bullcrap. Worst of all I wasted 2 minutes of my precious time reading his pointless tirade. A more suitable name would be “Phantom Coward”. Go away, Phantom Negro, and come back as “Progressive Brother”.
Since Henry Louis Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct by Cambridge Police Dept. Sgt. Crowley, I have heard him and our President comment on how this incident should provide a learning experience for out country. But no one is really going into much detail on what everyone should learn. So let me tell you what I learned almost forty years ago.
In 1973 I was a long-haired, pot-smoking hippy. Getting “hassled by the pigs” was an expected part of being a member of that sub-culture in America at that time. While I was never pulled over by a police office for “Driving While Black,” I was pulled over for “Driving While Long-haired.” I learned very quickly to always treat law enforcement officers with courtesy and respect, even if I did not think they deserved such. Never make any sudden movements. And always be as cooperative as possible. Otherwise, the next words you might hear would be, “Boy, you’re in a heap of trouble now!”
Once I insulted an officer. Once. I learned quickly never to repeat that mistake. Not only was I hauled down to the police station for disorderly conduct, but I got disrespect to an officer added on to the charge. Even at a point in my life when I was in a marijuana induced haze, I was smart enough to figure out this simple rule. And it kept me out of trouble on lots of occasions, including several traffic stops for speeding. I learned quickly not to argue over MPH, be polite, . . . and you may get away with a verbal warning (I have on several occasions). Smart off, and you’ll pay for your attitude.
I would think anyone smart enough to teach at Harvard would at least have the intelligence of a stoned 19 year old. Obviously, not so, and somebody needed to learn a lesson from the Cambridge Police Department.
Why am I so certain this truth is the appropriate lesson and not one on the evils of racial profiling? While I don’t know all the facts, consider the following: One of the issues under debate is how many times Gates asked Crowley his name, and did Crowley tell him or not. According to the police report, Crowley was on “uniform” service. Every police uniform I’ve ever seen includes a name tag. Whether Crowley answered verbally or not, he was identified.
In the picture showing Henry Louis Gates being led away from his house, his mouth is wide open (consistent with loudly giving someone a piece of his mind). But more importantly, one of the officers leading him away is Black. There are two other White officers in the picture. If one is Sgt. Crowley, there was at least two other police witness to the police sergeant’s allegedly racist behavior, if not three. Reading the report Crowley filed, I lost count of how many police officers were present when Crowley finally had enough and arrested Gates, including co-workers from his department and from Harvard’s police department.
If Sgt. Crowley was acting out of a racial motivation, he had to have been even dumber than I was at 19 when stoned. He is a 12 year veteran of the police force, an instructor in a racial profiling class, walking into the home of one of the best know racial activists in this country, and accompanied by a Black officer. I’m thinking any arrest of any Harvard prof is going to make local news, if not national news. Crowley had to have known every word he said and everything he did was not only witnessed by others, but also going to be scrutinized. Under such potentially litigious circumstances, Crowley did the smart thing: follow established protocols.
And, what would the press have said if the police arrived, the burgler told him, “I live here,” but refused to show ID, so the cop politely says, “Okay,” and left out the front door to await a search warrant and back-up while the perpetrators fled out the back?
While a citizen in their home may not HAVE to give a police officer ID, why not? Gates reason was fear. When Gates saw Crowley at his front door, he saw a White police officer and was scarred to death because white police officers have been known for racial profiling and committing violent crimes against Black men. So Gates felt justified in his actions. Please tell me, how is what Henry Louis Gates, Jr., did NOT racial profiling? While there have been innumerable innocent, young Black males who have been harassed, beaten, and even killed at the hands of White police officers, how many of these victims were mature, crippled gentlemen (obviously posing no threat to anyone) in their own homes?
Crowley has received much criticism for changing Whalen’s statement to protect himself. Someone please tell me how Crowley, who had to have known Whalen’s 911 call was recorded, thought he could get away with intentionally changing her statement, and how changing it from “two suitcases” to “two backpacks” would protect him from a charge of racism? His report doesn’t read like a verbatim interrogation of a witness–it is a summary. At worst, it is an inaccurate recollection of a minor detail that was not going to make any difference in court. The suitcases/backpacks were never used to haul away stolen property.
Crowley has also been criticized for not interviewing the witness after the incident. But by the time he had opportunity, he knew the witness had not seen a break-in, and did not anticipate any testimony from her to be needed in a criminal proceeding. And when Crowley changed Whalen’s 9-1-1 call statement from “two men, one of whom may have been Hispanic,” to, “two Black men”, he was actually correcting her false statement, recording what it had been determined she really saw, rather than what she said she saw. And for doing so, he has been called a racist and a liar.
Another of the things that has bothered me about this incident from the first was the fact that one of Henry Louis Gates’ neighbors did not recognize him in broad daylight, especially since he is one of the most famous Harvard professors. Later it was reported the first witness to the possible break-in was an “elderly woman” who didn’t have a cell phone (or, possibly, didn’t want the call traced back to her) who got another lady walking down the street, Lucia Whalen, to make the call.
Gates is reported by CNN to be working on a documentary on the history of racial profiling in America, and probably could not have bought the publicity he has gotten from this incident for $50 Million if spent with a Wall Street advertising firm.
Interesting. Has anybody asked Mrs. Whalen to identify the “elderly woman”? Is it possible this unidentified person who didn’t recognize her neighbor might be an accomplice in a publicity stunt pulled off by a nationally known intellectual? At best, Gates capitalized on an opportunity. At worst, he planned a set up.
Sgt. Crowley responded to a radio call telling him a possible burglary was taking place, and two possible suspects were believed to still be in the house. Not knowing who else was actually in the house, but knowing the residents could be inside being held captive in their own home by the intruders, Crowley bravely entered alone. Hopefully back-up was coming, but innocent people could be dead before other police arrived, or before a judge could be contacted and sign a search warrant. Crowley knew if he proceeded, he could be dead before help arrived. But he walked inside anyway, doing his job to protect the public. And either he was racially profiled by a belligerent man as someone planning on committing a hate crime, or he may have been set up to be portrayed as a racist for publicity purposes. Regardless, with no credible evidence, he has been maligned in the media. Either both of these men are dumber than a stoned 19 year old, or one is brilliant and the other deserves a medal for bravery.
So, what is the lesson from this “teachable moment”? Our President learned to hear the whole story before jumping to conclusions, assuming the police officer had acted on a racial motivation (again, socially acceptable racial profiling of a White), and calling his actions stupid. Racial profiling a White person as a racist is not a problem the press, or the President, wants to tackle. But it is a problem in the United States today.
Since Henry Louis Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct by Cambridge Police Dept. Sgt. Crowley, I have heard him and our President comment on how this incident should provide a learning experience for out country. But no one is really going into much detail on what everyone should learn. So let me tell you what I learned almost forty years ago.
In 1973 I was a long-haired, pot-smoking hippy. Getting “hassled by the pigs” was an expected part of being a member of that sub-culture in America at that time. While I was never pulled over by a police office for “Driving While Black,” I was pulled over for “Driving While Long-haired.” I learned very quickly to always treat law enforcement officers with courtesy and respect, even if I did not think they deserved such. Never make any sudden movements. And always be as cooperative as possible. Otherwise, the next words you might hear would be, “Boy, you’re in a heap of trouble now!”
Once I insulted an officer. Once. I learned quickly never to repeat that mistake. Not only was I hauled down to the police station for disorderly conduct, but I got disrespect to an officer added on to the charge. Even at a point in my life when I was in a marijuana induced haze, I was smart enough to figure out this simple rule. And it kept me out of trouble on lots of occasions, including several traffic stops for speeding. I learned quickly not to argue over MPH, be polite, . . . and you may get away with a verbal warning (I have on several occasions). Smart off, and you’ll pay for your attitude.
I would think anyone smart enough to teach at Harvard would at least have the intelligence of a stoned 19 year old. Obviously, not so, and somebody needed to learn a lesson from the Cambridge Police Department.
Why am I so certain this truth is the appropriate lesson and not one on the evils of racial profiling? While I don’t know all the facts, consider the following: One of the issues under debate is how many times Gates asked Crowley his name, and did Crowley tell him or not. According to the police report, Crowley was on “uniform” service. Every police uniform I’ve ever seen includes a name tag. Whether Crowley answered verbally or not, he was identified.
In the picture showing Henry Louis Gates being led away from his house, his mouth is wide open (consistent with loudly giving someone a piece of his mind). But more importantly, one of the officers leading him away is Black. There are two other White officers in the picture. If one is Sgt. Crowley, there was at least two other police witness to the police sergeant’s allegedly racist behavior, if not three. Reading the report Crowley filed, I lost count of how many police officers were present when Crowley finally had enough and arrested Gates, including co-workers from his department and from Harvard’s police department.
If Sgt. Crowley was acting out of a racial motivation, he had to have been even dumber than I was at 19 when stoned. He is a 12 year veteran of the police force, an instructor in a racial profiling class, walking into the home of one of the best know racial activists in this country, and accompanied by a Black officer. I’m thinking any arrest of any Harvard prof is going to make local news, if not national news. Crowley had to have known every word he said and everything he did was not only witnessed by others, but also going to be scrutinized. Under such potentially litigious circumstances, Crowley did the smart thing: follow established protocols.
And, what would the press have said if the police arrived, the burgler told him, “I live here,” but refused to show ID, so the cop politely says, “Okay,” and left out the front door to await a search warrant and back-up while the perpetrators fled out the back?
While a citizen in their home may not HAVE to give a police officer ID, why not? Gates reason was fear. When Gates saw Crowley at his front door, he saw a White police officer and was scarred to death because white police officers have been known for racial profiling and committing violent crimes against Black men. So Gates felt justified in his actions. Please tell me, how is what Henry Louis Gates, Jr., did NOT racial profiling? While there have been innumerable innocent, young Black males who have been harassed, beaten, and even killed at the hands of White police officers, how many of these victims were mature, crippled gentlemen (obviously posing no threat to anyone) in their own homes?
Crowley has received much criticism for changing Whalen’s statement to protect himself. Someone please tell me how Crowley, who had to have known Whalen’s 911 call was recorded, thought he could get away with intentionally changing her statement, and how changing it from “two suitcases” to “two backpacks” would protect him from a charge of racism? His report doesn’t read like a verbatim interrogation of a witness–it is a summary. At worst, it is an inaccurate recollection of a minor detail that was not going to make any difference in court. The suitcases/backpacks were never used to haul away stolen property.
Crowley has also been criticized for not interviewing the witness after the incident. But by the time he had opportunity, he knew the witness had not seen a break-in, and did not anticipate any testimony from her to be needed in a criminal proceeding. And when Crowley changed Whalen’s 9-1-1 call statement from “two men, one of whom may have been Hispanic,” to, “two Black men”, he was actually correcting her false statement, recording what it had been determined she really saw, rather than what she said she saw. And for doing so, he has been called a racist and a liar.
Another of the things that has bothered me about this incident from the first was the fact that one of Henry Louis Gates’ neighbors did not recognize him in broad daylight, especially since he is one of the most famous Harvard professors. Later it was reported the first witness to the possible break-in was an “elderly woman” who didn’t have a cell phone (or, possibly, didn’t want the call traced back to her) who got another lady walking down the street, Lucia Whalen, to make the call.
Gates is reported by CNN to be working on a documentary on the history of racial profiling in America, and probably could not have bought the publicity he has gotten from this incident for $50 Million if spent with a Wall Street advertising firm.
Interesting. Has anybody asked Mrs. Whalen to identify the “elderly woman”? Is it possible this unidentified person who didn’t recognize her neighbor might be an accomplice in a publicity stunt pulled off by a nationally known intellectual? At best, Gates capitalized on an opportunity. At worst, he planned a set up.
Sgt. Crowley responded to a radio call telling him a possible burglary was taking place, and two possible suspects were believed to still be in the house. Not knowing who else was actually in the house, but knowing the residents could be inside being held captive in their own home by the intruders, Crowley bravely entered alone. Hopefully back-up was coming, but innocent people could be dead before other police arrived, or before a judge could be contacted and sign a search warrant. Crowley knew if he proceeded, he could be dead before help arrived. But he walked inside anyway, doing his job to protect the public. And either he was racially profiled by a belligerent man as someone planning on committing a hate crime, or he may have been set up to be portrayed as a racist for publicity purposes. Regardless, with no credible evidence, he has been maligned in the media. Either both of these men are dumber than a stoned 19 year old, or one is brilliant and the other deserves a medal for bravery.
So, what is the lesson from this “teachable moment”? Our President learned to hear the whole story before jumping to conclusions, assuming the police officer had acted on a racial motivation (again, socially acceptable racial profiling of a White), and calling his actions stupid. Racial profiling a White person as a racist is not a problem the press, or the President, wants to tackle. But it is a problem in the United States today.
Anybody notice the difference in the Skip Gates interaction with the police and Bob Dylan’s recent arrest for loitering? Dylan being a tad more humble than Skip didn’t bother trying to make it into a big deal.
Maybe it’s not all about race…
Anybody notice the difference in the Skip Gates interaction with the police and Bob Dylan’s recent arrest for loitering? Dylan being a tad more humble than Skip didn’t bother trying to make it into a big deal.
Maybe it’s not all about race…
Excellent! If I could write like this I would be well chuffed. The more I read articles of such quality as this (which is rare), the more I think there might be a future for the Web. Keep it up, as it were.
Excellent! If I could write like this I would be well chuffed. The more I read articles of such quality as this (which is rare), the more I think there might be a future for the Web. Keep it up, as it were.